By John Rammas/ irammas@eurohoops.net
The 2025-26 installment of the EuroLeague is here and tips off on Tuesday. Our Top 10 lists are here as well.
Another offseason has concluded, packed with interesting and in some cases unexpected moves. That’s proven by the fact that out of our 10 picks, four, including Vasilije Micic, are coming from the NBA, and three of them, in theory at least, had also NBA options to look at.
Three trusty veterans with a proven record are also included, along with three new stars who got a payday, and in the case of two of them, the chance to get on board with perennial title contenders.
#10 TORNIKE SHENGELIA
Virtus Bologna → FC Barcelona
PF | 1991 | Georgia
2024-25 EuroLeague stats
15.6 pts | 5 reb | 2.7 ast | 0.7 stl | 0.4 blk | 2.5 tov | 27 min
Georgia is a country with a history and tradition in wine production. And Toko Shengelia is like good old wine. Barca didn’t think twice about securing his services.
As if the opponents weren’t enough on their own, the Georgian power forward is going against time with a constant increase in his stats throughout his tenure at Virtus Bologna over the last three years. The demanding challenge is to continue accordingly in the Catalan powerhouse, but he has never had a problem. ‘Challenge accepted’ for the umpteenth time.
#9 TREY LYLES
Sacramento Kings →Real Madrid
PF | 1995 | USA
2024-25 NBA stats
6.5 pts | 4.6 reb | 1.2 ast | 0.6 stl | 0.3 blk | 1.2 tov | 20 min
Trey Lyles’ transfer completed summer signings for Madrid and opened a new chapter in his career. The American power forward, who has played 650 games in the NBA with career averages of 7.6 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 1.1 assists per contest, claimed at Madrid-Barajas Airport.
A 30-year-old rookie in Europe, but capable in general, his presence boosts the frontline of a Spanish team always aiming for the top.
#8 MARKO GUDURIC
Fenerbahce Beko → EA7 Emporio Armani Milan
G/F | 1995 | Serbia
2024-25 EuroLeague stats
10.9 pts | 2.6 reb | 3.1 ast | 0.7 stl | 0.1 blk | 2 tov | 22 min
All good things come to an end, as well as Fener and Marko Gudurić. At least this time, he wrote his name in golden letters on the Euroleague history books. Now it is Olimpia Milano seeking an extended campaign all the way to the top, with him on the roster.
The Serbian swingman’s left hand and high basketball IQ promise excitement at Scarpette Rosse in a season dedicated to the memory of Giorgio Armani.
#7 THEO MALEDON
LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne → Real Madrid
PG | 2001 | France
2024-25 EuroLeague stats
17 pts | 3.5 reb | 4.6 ast | 1 stl | 0.2 blk | 2.9 tov | 28 min
When all the other teams considered Theo Maledon as a rising star, Los Blancos saw an opportunity to quickly move for his transfer from ASVEL many months before the official start of the offseason began. Their instincts proved to be equal to his.
The French point guard has moved on from his four years in the NBA, but displayed his talents like an NBA player last year, and, similar to everyone on his new team, he hopes for more of the same in the future.
#6 NIKOLA MIROTIC
EA7 Emporio Armani Milan → AS Monaco
PF | 1991 | Montenegro
2024-25 EuroLeague stats
17.7 pts | 6.4 reb | 2 ast | 1 stl | 0.3 blk | 1.9 tov | 27 min
“I signed Monaco to win the Euroleague trophy that we are missing”. That is the story for Nikola Mirotic. Enough with simply reaching the Final Four, both for the two appearances of La Roca Team and the six of the experienced forward. Apart from the individual distinctions, such as being named season MVP in 2022, his career so far lacks an extension to team success.
Turning 35 and dealing with diminishing options to win a championship, the opponents would be smart to not face him like a 35-year-old.
#5 DZANAN MUSA
Real Madrid → Dubai
G/F | 1999 | Bosnia-Herzegovina
2024-25 EuroLeague stats
12.2 pts | 2.9 reb | 2 ast | 0.4 stl | 0.1 blk | 1.7 tov | 22 min
‘Which player would you take if you were starting a team right now?’ often pops up on many surveys. Dubai’s answer was Dzanan Musa. The Bosnian swingman accepted the invitation and challenge to strengthen the team from the United Arab Emirates in their maiden EuroLeague journey.
The two-time Euroleague champion, with Anadolu Efes in 2021 and Real Madrid in 2023, is the most expensive transfer in team history. The reimbursement is pending.
#4 SHAKE MILTON
Los Angeles Lakers → Partizan Mozzart Bet
SG | 1996 | USA
2024-25 NBA stats
5.5 pts | 1.8 reb | 1.8 ast | 0.4 stl | 0.1 blk | 0.7 tov | 15 min
For players at Shake Milton’s level, the noise surrounding his decision to join Partizan emerged naturally and was among the most resounding over the summer. The American shooting guard with 359 NBA games jumped to Europe for the first time and will play under the guidance of nine-time EuroLeague champion Zeljko Obradovic.
His stats from last season, split between the Brooklyn Nets and Los Angeles Lakers, are misleading. After all, not that long ago, he averaged double-digits in points, or was very close. Therefore, future opponents have been warned.
#3 TALEN HORTON-TUCKER
Chicago Bulls → Fenerbahce Beko
SG | 2000 | USA
2024-25 NBA stats
6.5 pts | 1.7 reb | 1.4 ast | 0.4 stl | 0.2 blk | 0.7 tov | 12 min
Falling shy of the initial goal to find another contract in the NBA, he now wants to run through his opponents in the EuroLeague. After 305 appearances and nearing a double-digit scoring average in the NBA with 9.2 points per game with the Los Angeles Lakers, Utah Jazz, and Chicago Bulls, Talen Horton-Tucker used his overseas options, landing in Istanbul at the reigning EuroLeague champions.
Among many more, the American shooting guard is also known for his physique, which gives him an additional advantage on the court. A nice fit for the Turkish team seeking to defend continental and domestic titles.
#2 VASILIJE MICIC
Phoenix Suns → Hapoel IBI Tel Aviv
PG | 1994 | Serbia
2024-25 NBA stats
6.6 pts | 2.2 reb | 3.1 ast | 0.4 stl | 0 blk | 1.9 tov | 19 min
The most intriguing story of the summer closed with Hapoel Tel Aviv on the credits. The Israeli club, a EuroLeague newcomer, secured the services of Vasilije Micic. In the process, covering him with millions of euros with the third-largest contract in European history.
The Serbian point guard needs no introduction, as a back-to-back Euroleague champion in 2021 and 2022 with Efes and season MVP in 2021. But he must forget the adversity faced in the NBA.
#1 T.J. SHORTS II
Paris → Panathinaikos Aktor
PG | 1997 | USA
2024-25 EuroLeague stats
19 pts | 2.6 reb | 7.3 ast | 1 stl | 0.1 blk | 2.3 tov | 27 min
Almost every year is a new challenge for T.J. Shorts II. From winning the Basketball Champions League in 2023 with Telekom Baskets Bonn as season and Final Four MVP to winning the EuroCup in 2024 with Paris as season & Finals MVP again, to the impressive maiden showing of the French team in the Euroleague as an almost season MVP, and now with contender Panathinaikos.
Undersized at 1.75 meters has never prevented the American point guard from standing tall in front of every opponent, let alone stopping now on a backcourt that the description ‘scary’ looks the most appropriate.